Lana Del Rey urged to cancel show in Israel by Palestinian boycott groups

Lana Del Rey has said that her upcoming performance in Israel is "not a political statement", as boycott groups urged her to cancel her performance.

Del Rey is scheduled to perform at the Meteor Festival on September 7, but has been urged to reconsider by campaigners who liken Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people to the old apartheid regime in South Africa.

Many artists have refused to play in Israel in opposition of its occupation of Palestine.

In a lengthy post on Twitter, Del Rey said she believes "music is universal and should be used to bring us together".

She said: "We signed on to the show w the intention that it would be performed for the kids there and my plan was for it to be done w a loving energy w a thematic emphasis on peace.

"If you don't agree with it I get it. I see both sides. But me and my band have been performing all over the world for months out of the years and close to 10 years now together."

Del Rey said that although she has "deep sentiments over what is true or not true, right or wrong, I would like to remind you that performing in Tel Aviv is not a political statement or a commitment to the politics there just as singing here in California doesn't mean my views are in alignment w my current governments opinions or sometimes inhuman actions".

She added: "Or that I condone my own president who openly mocks disabled people at rallies (I'm not in anyway likening the gravity of certain travesties that have occurred in Israel to the current hardships we're facing here) I'm just stating that I'm a simple singer, I'm doing my best to navigate the waters of the constant tumultuous hardships in the war-torn countries all over the world that I travel through monthly."

'Empty statements about peace and love'

Several Palestinian fans replied to her tweet to disagree.

Supporting the boycott sends a CLEAR message to Israel. Making vague, empty statements about peace and love, like so many apologists before you have done, sends a clear message to your palestinian fans- genocide and apartheid just don’t matter you.

"Supporting the boycott sends a CLEAR message to Israel. Making vague, empty statements about peace and love, like so many apologists before you have done, sends a clear message to your Palestinian fans - genocide and apartheid just don’t matter [to] you," wrote one.

When a civil society movement of oppressed people asks you not to play in the state that oppresses them and uses cultural performance to whitewash their image, rejecting their request *IS* a political statement and it is not one history will judge kindly.

Yousef Munayyer, of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, wrote: "When a civil society movement of oppressed people asks you not to play in the state that oppresses them and uses cultural performance to whitewash their image, rejecting their request *IS* a political statement and it is not one history will judge kindly."

Jewish Voice For Peace, an organisation dedicated to a US foreign policy based on peace, human rights and respect for international law, tweeted Del Rey: "The choice is yours @LanaDelRey we hope you will choose freedom, justice and equality. @PACBI @BDSmovement @BDSsouthafrica @PSCupdates #BDS Yes."